bogmyrtle wrote: There is a diversion for cyclist which presumably will be signed.

There is a diversion, signed in a fashion which even confuses the locals and includes a gradient so steep that I feel few laden tourists will be able to cycle up, also the diversion adds a minimum of 1.4 miles to the journey.The lack of concern for cyclists and walkers is clear on the Trafffic Scotland link which makes no mention of the round the clock delay and inconvenience for cyclists, mentioning only delays for drivers. The other link takes us to an Aberdeen Football Club website, which is an odd choice to inform the public of transport diversions!

Going slightly off topic that flipping bridge was the scariest part of my LEJOG. Chucking it down, blowing a gale, freezing cold (or August as they call it north of the border....) I rode the first few yards but the bridge has quite low sides and it was a complete no brainer to get off and walk.

The Forth Road Bridge was a complete piece of cake in comparison. Once I actually found my way on to it that is!

bearonabike wrote:Going slightly off topic that flipping bridge was the scariest part of my LEJOG. Chucking it down, blowing a gale, freezing cold (or August as they call it north of the border....) I rode the first few yards but the bridge has quite low sides and it was a complete no brainer to get off and walk.

The Forth Road Bridge was a complete piece of cake in comparison. Once I actually found my way on to it that is!

I got caught there in 2011 aproaching from the north I was told to use the western side could I find the way onto it NO, found another cyclist with the same trouble, sack it lets go for it, we then find a sign "cyclists use stairs to pass under bridge then use other cycle way so we had to carry the bikes down, I think two flights of steps under the bridge then carry them up the other side. Whilst under the bridge I yelled out "I suppose you think this is funny" the echo was brilliant and it vented my frustration. getting through Edinburgh was a nightmare, a beautiful city but put some signs up, please.

[quote="bearonabike"]Going slightly off topic that flipping bridge was the scariest part of my LEJOG. I rode the first few yards but the bridge has quite low sides and it was a complete no brainer to get off and walk. /quote]

I'm so pleased to see I'm not the only person who thought this. I've cycled (or tried to cycle) over all the main estuary bridges in the country and found the Kessock Bridge easily the scariest bridge I've ever had the misfortune to find myself on. How it could be included as part of an NCN route I cannot understand. It is narrow and has low railings on one side, with a long drop down to the water, and fast moving traffic inc many large lorries coming past or towards you just a few inches away. The first time I went onto it my partner rode across and I ventured after her and froze in fear a few yards out, unable to move any further, and found the cyclepath too narrow to easily turn round in to return. Somehow I eventually managed to walk across, but how I did it I don't know. It was, at least, a fairly calm day, and I was going downhill (i.e. towards Inverness), what it would be like when the wind is blowing hard and you have to slog up the slope I cannot imagine.

A few years later, on my coastal ride and alone, I came to it again. It was a lovely sunny day and calm, so steeled myself to try again. Got about 2 feet onto it, retraced my steps backwards and rode the 30 miles or so via Beauly instead. This was much more preferable, despite running into a thunderstorm halfway round with some of the most torrential rain I've ever met.

I crossed Kessock Bridge on my JOGLE & 3 Peaks last May in absolutely horrendous weather. I was on the cycle path riding towards oncoming traffic in very heavy rain and very strong side winds. It was at the end of my second day and I was too tired to get off my bike, but I was lucky not to have an accident. I was crouched down onto my crossbar to try and reduce the impact of the gusting wind but still got blown sideways almost colliding with the barrier separating me from the traffic. In hindsight i should have just got off and walked. I found this bridge much worse than the Severn Bridge - although the conditions may have played a part in that!